Verdict
All eyes here will be Champion Hurdle hopeful OSCAR WHISKY, who will be short odds to complete a hat-trick under NH Rules in this. The winner of nine of his 12 career starts, he won the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle last year and may have still been unbeaten this season had he not tipped up at the last when disputing the lead at Ascot in November. The others look to be playing for places and this is surely an insufficient test of stamina for thorough stayer Sir Harry Ormesher while veteran grey Snow Patrol has a very poor strike rate. Forecast backers may want to concentrate on Milgen Bay, therefore, as he won a Huntingdon bumper on his racecourse debut in 2010 and has done well since switching to fences this term.
Formwatch
Dixie Case (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, weakened over 3f out, last of 8, well behind Swincombe Stone (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Milgen Bay 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, chased winner before 3 out until lost 2nd and hampered next, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 13, 17l behind Our Mick (11-8) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Oscar Whisky (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Tracked leader, not fluent 5th, led going well approaching last, not extended, easily, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f hdl (2) gs in Jan beating Poungach (11-4) by 2l, 4 ran.
Power Man (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Led until after 2nd, ridden after 4th, weakened before 2 out, 13th of 18, 31l behind Waterunder (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Sir Harry Ormesher 10-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, headway 3 out, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, well held before last, 7th of 8, 37l behind Houblon Des Obeaux (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Snow Patrol 10-3 (9-11) In rear, mistakes 2nd and 3rd, headway to mid-division 4th, chased leading trio after 3 out, closed to 3rd last, kept on flat, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Well Green (11-2) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Jan.
Flat Cap Thursday 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, soon no impression, 5th of 11, 13l behind One More Cookie (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Sky Hole 7-1 (11-7) Wl bhnd when pu aft 11, in a race won by Kiss Me Twice (12-0) at Barbury Racecourse 3m ptp gd in Dec, 17 ran.
